Air India Crash: Pilot Associations Reject Human Error Claims Amid Ongoing Investigation
NEW DELHI: Two leading pilot unions in India have strongly refuted early suggestions that human error or pilot suicide may have caused the tragic Air India crash on June 12, which killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground.
The preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday did not assign blame but revealed that the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches were turned off mid-flight, sparking speculation among aviation analysts.
Pilot Unions Speak Out
The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) expressed deep concern over what it described as “speculative and reckless narratives” surrounding the incident. In a public statement on Sunday, the ICPA condemned suggestions that the crash was the result of pilot suicide, calling such claims “unfounded and insensitive.”
“To casually suggest pilot suicide without verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession,” the statement read.
Dialogue From the Cockpit
The AAIB’s report briefly noted a conversation between the pilots, where one questioned why the engine fuel had been cut, and the other allegedly responded that he had no reason. However, no further cockpit details were disclosed.
This limited disclosure led several aviation experts to theorize that the fuel control switches, which are manually operated, may have been turned off either deliberately or accidentally.
ALPA India Raises Transparency Concerns
The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India), representing around 800 commercial pilots, echoed similar concerns. The union criticized the lack of transparency in the AAIB’s investigation and accused officials of presuming pilot guilt without a complete and fair inquiry.
ALPA India President Sam Thomas issued a strong statement:
“We feel that the investigation is being driven in a direction presuming the guilt of pilots and we strongly object to this line of thought.”
ALPA also called on the AAIB to include independent observers in the investigation to ensure a transparent and unbiased process.
Crash Details
The tragic incident involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London. Of the 242 people onboard, only one survivor was reported. The crash also claimed 19 lives on the ground, making it one of the deadliest air disasters in recent Indian aviation history.
What’s Next?
Both pilot associations have urged authorities to withhold conclusions until a full investigation is completed. The AAIB has yet to release its final report, which will include verified evidence, technical analysis, and official conclusions.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
